The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (Korean: 졸업) is an ongoing South Korean television series written by Park Kyung-hwa, directed by Ahn Pan-seok, and starring Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon. It premiered on tvN on May 11, 2024, and airs every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea, and on Viki and Viu in selected regions.
| The Midnight Romance in Hagwon | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 졸업 |
| Hanja | 卒業 |
| Literal meaning | Graduation |
| Revised Romanization | Jor-eop |
| McCune–Reischauer | Jol'eob |
| Genre | |
| Written by | Park Kyung-hwa |
| Directed by | Ahn Pan-seok |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Lee Nam-yeon[3] |
| Opening theme | "Don't Forget About Me" by The Restless Age |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 14 (as of June 23, 2024) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Kim Ryoon-hee (CP)[4] |
| Producer | Cho Youn-hee[4] |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | tvN |
| Release | May 11, 2024 – present |
Synopsis
It tells the story of a secret and sweet real-life romance between Seo Hye-jin, a veteran cram school instructor, and Lee Joon-ho, a quirky student who returns after a decade to stir her heart. The secret midnight romance that begins when the lights go out in Daechi-dong Academy, and the colorful stories of the academy instructors we didn't know about.[5]
Cast
Main
- Jung Ryeo-won as Seo Hye-jin: a star tutor with 14 years of experience. She is a quiet competitor with a solid inner game who never gives up.[6]
- Wi Ha-joon as Lee Joon-ho: a new lecturer who returns after 10 years and stirs up Seo Hye-jin's daily life and heart.[6]
People at Daechi Chase Academy
- So Joo-yeon as Nam Cheong-mi: a new instructor in the Korean Language Department of Daechi Chase Academy and has bold personality.[7]
- Kim Jong-tae as Kim Hyun-tak: Director of Daechi Chase Academy.[8]
- Kim Jung-young as Woo Seung-hee: Deputy Director of Daechi Chase Academy.[8]
- Gil Hae-yeon as Kim Hyo-im: Counseling Manager of Daechi Chase Academy.[8]
- Jang In-sub as Yoon Ji-seok: English Department 1 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy who is fairly popular and has an unrequited love for Hye-jin.[8]
- Lee Si-hoon as Lee Myung-jun: Korean Language Department 2 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy. He was the highest ranking Korean-language until Hye-jin came.[8]
- Yang Jo-a as Min Hee-joo: Social Studies team leader of Daechi Chase Academy.[8]
- Ahn Hyun-ho as Kim Chae-yoon: Korean Language Instructor of Daechi Chase Academy and Hye-jin's team member for three years. She graduated from the Department of Korean-language Education at a top-ranked women's university.[8]
- Yuk Hyun-suk as Jang Il-do: English Department 2 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy.[8]
- Lim Jin-hyo as Shin Dae-bak: the new instructor at English Department of Daechi Chase Academy who gets along well with people.[8]
- Jang So-yeon as Choi Ji-eun: Administrative and Support Department head of Daechi Chase Academy.[9]
People at Daechi Choisun Academy
- Seo Jeong-yeon as Choi Hyung-sun: Director and Instructor of Daechi Choisun Academy and known as White-haired Witch. She has the largest number of students at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong for 20 years.[10]
- Lee Kyu-sung as Park Ki-sung: Hyung-sun's assistant who is shrouded in mystery.[11]
People around Jun-ho
- Shin Joo-hyup as Choi Seung-gyu: Jun-ho's best friend and worldly cynical graduate student. He gave up getting a job and went to graduate school.[7]
- Yoon Bok-in as Oh Jeong-hwa: Jun-ho's mother who was once known as the "pig mom".[12]
- Oh Man-seok as Lee Taek-yeol: Jun-ho's father who is a former executive at a large securities company but now a current executive at a small to medium-sized company.[13]
People around Hye-jin
People at Chanyoung High School in Daechi-dong
- Kim Song-il as Pyo Sang-sub: a Korean Language Teacher at Chanyoung High School with 20-year experience.[15]
- Kim Na-yeon as Sung Ha-yool: a student at Chanyoung High School who is timid and smart.[15]
- Jin Ga-eun as Lee Ye-eun: a student at Chanyoung High School who is cheerful and simple.[15]
- Park Min-su as Lee Jung-soo: a student at Chanyoung High School who is the class president.[15]
People at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong
- Cha Kang-yoon as Lee Si-woo: a student at Heewon High School who rank first in the entire school.[16]
Production
Development
Developed under the working title Graduation is the new work of director Ahn Pan-seok, who directed Something in the Rain (2018) and One Spring Night (2019), and attracted the attention of broadcasters since the beginning of production.[17] Park Kyung-hwa announced as the writer while Studio Dragon and JS Pictures managed the production of the series.[5]
Casting
Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon were offered the lead roles for the series in July and October 2023, respectively.[17][18]
Jung and Wi were officially confirmed as the lead actors of the series.[19]
Filming
Principal photography began in October 2023.[19]
Original soundtrack
Part 1
All lyrics are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon; all music is composed by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon.
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Forget About Me" | The Restless Age | 3:54 |
| 2. | "Catch Me" | The Restless Age | 3:45 |
| Total length: | 7:39 | ||
Part 2
All lyrics are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon; all music is composed by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon.
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Now and Then" | The Restless Age | 4:44 |
| Total length: | 4:44 | ||
Part 3
All lyrics are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon; all music is composed by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon.
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Together With You" | The Restless Age | 3:53 |
| Total length: | 3:53 | ||
Part 4
All lyrics are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon; all music is composed by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison and Lee Nam-yeon.
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Simple Melody" | The Restless Age | 4:21 |
| Total length: | 4:21 | ||
Release
In October 2023, the series was scheduled to be released on tvN in 2024 and is also available for streaming on TVING, Viki, and Viu.[5][20][21] Five months later, tvN confirmed that the release date will be on May 11, 2024.[22]
Viewership
| Season | Episode number | Average | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |||
| 1 | 1183 | 1269 | 675 | 1061 | 946 | 1278 | 930 | 1011 | 741 | 996 | 854 | 1054 | 802 | 1198 | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)[23] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Seoul | ||
| 1 | May 11, 2024 | 5.169% (1st) | 6.329% (1st) |
| 2 | May 12, 2024 | 5.150% (1st) | 5.492% (1st) |
| 3 | May 18, 2024 | 3.010% (1st) | 4.005% (1st) |
| 4 | May 19, 2024 | 4.805% (1st) | 6.052% (1st) |
| 5 | May 25, 2024 | 4.231% (1st) | 5.262% (1st) |
| 6 | May 26, 2024 | 4.897% (1st) | 5.749% (1st) |
| 7 | June 1, 2024 | 4.117% (1st) | 5.248% (1st) |
| 8 | June 2, 2024 | 4.322% (2nd) | 5.434% (1st) |
| 9 | June 8, 2024 | 3.175% (1st) | 3.676% (1st) |
| 10 | June 9, 2024 | 4.173% (2nd) | 4.957% (2nd) |
| 11 | June 15, 2024 | 3.369% (1st) | 4.309% (1st) |
| 12 | June 16, 2024 | 4.790% (1st) | 5.950% (1st) |
| 13 | June 22, 2024 | 3.614% (1st) | 4.553% (1st) |
| 14 | June 23, 2024 | 5.192% (1st) | 6.306% (1st) |
| 15 | June 29, 2024 | ||
| 16 | June 30, 2024 | ||
| Average | — | — | |
References
- Jin, Hyang-hee (October 19, 2023). 정려원·위하준, 안판석 신작 '졸업'서 사제 로맨스 [Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-jun, teacher-student romance in Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation'] (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- Choi, Ji-yoon (October 19, 2023). 안판석표 멜로...정려원·위하준 '졸업' [Ahn Pan-seok's melodrama...Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon 'Graduation'] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- Hong, Se-young (May 8, 2024). 정려원♥위하준 로맨스, 대치동 돼지엄마들도 설레겠네 (졸업) [Jung Ryeo-won♥Wi Ha-joon romance, even pig mothers in Daechi-dong will be excited (Graduation)] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024 – via Naver.
- "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon". Studio Dragon. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- Park, Seo-hyun (October 19, 2023). 위하준X정려원 '졸업', 이토록 설레는 사제커플..2024년 공개 [Wi Ha-joon X Jung Ryeo-won's 'Graduation', such an exciting teacher-student couple..To be released in 2024] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- Kim, Ji-woo (March 27, 2024). 김지원♥김수현 가고 정려원·위하준 온다...'졸업' 스캔들 주인공 [Kim Ji-won♥Kim Soo-hyun goes and Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon come...'Graduation' scandal protagonist] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- Kim, Na-yool (April 25, 2024). '졸업' 소주연X신주협, 대치동 로맨스..동갑내기 케미 기대 ['Graduation' So Joo-yeon and Shin Joo-hyeop, Daechi-dong romance..xpect chemistry among same-age peers] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- 대치체이스 학원 사람들 [People at Daechi Chase Academy]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- Kang, Da-yoon (April 26, 2024). 장소연, '졸업' 출연 확정...정려원·위하준과 호흡 [공식] [Jang So-yeon confirmed to appear in ‘Graduation’…Working with Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via Naver.
- 최선국어 사람들 [People at Choiseon Korean-language]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- Hwang, So-young (April 25, 2024). 이규성 '졸업' 출연 확정 비밀 가득 조교로 변신 [Lee Kyu-sung confirmed to appear in 'Graduation', turns into assistant full of secrets] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024 – via Naver.
- 준호의 주변 인물 [People around Jun-ho]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- Ha, Kyung-heon (April 16, 2024). 오만석 열일 행보, ‘원더풀 월드’ ‘눈물의 여왕’ 이어 ‘졸업’ 위하준 아버지 役 [Oh Man-seok's ten-day performance, following 'Wonderful World', 'Queen of Tears', and now 'Graduation', playing as Wi Ha-jun father's role] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
- 혀진의 주변 인물 [People around Hye-jin]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- 대치동 찬영고 사람들 [People at Chanyoung High School in Daechi-dong]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- 대치동 희원고 사람들 [People at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- Yoo, Ji-hye (July 19, 2023). [단독] 정려원, 안판석 PD 신작 '졸업' 주인공 [[Exclusive] Jung Ryeo-won, Producer Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation'] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- Lee, Seung-hun (October 3, 2023). [단독]위하준, 대치동 학원 강사 로맨스 '졸업' 주인공 [[Exclusive] Wi Ha-joon, Daechi-dong academy instructor romance 'Graduation' protagonist] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- Oh, Myung-eon (October 19, 2023). 안판석 PD 신작 멜로 '졸업'에 정려원·위하준 출연 [Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon appear in PD Ahn Pan-seok's new melodrama 'Graduation'] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- "K-Dramas To Watch In May 2024: From Frankly Speaking To Connection, New Shows On Netflix, Prime Video & More". Indiatimes. May 1, 2024. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- Ayu, Salpi (May 5, 2024). "7 Drama Korea Terbaru Mei 2024 di Viu" [7 Latest Korean Dramas May 2024 on Viu]. Viu. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- Kang, Nae-ri (March 27, 2024). 안판석 감독 표 로맨스 온다...정려원·위하준 '졸업', 5월 11일 첫 방송 [Director Ahn Pan-seok's romance is coming...Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon's 'Graduation' premieres on May 11th] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
- Nielsen Korea ratings:
- "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea. May 11, 2024. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea. May 12, 2024. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea. May 18, 2024. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea. May 19, 2024. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- "Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea. May 25, 2024. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea. May 26, 2024. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- "Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea. June 1, 2024. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- "Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea. June 2, 2024. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- "Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea. June 8, 2024. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- "Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea. June 9, 2024. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- "Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea. June 15, 2024. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- "Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea. June 16, 2024. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- "Ep. 13". Nielsen Korea. June 22, 2024. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- "Ep. 14". Nielsen Korea. June 23, 2024. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
External links
- Official website (in Korean)
- Production website at Studio Dragon (in English and Korean)
- The Midnight Romance in Hagwon at IMDb
- The Midnight Romance in Hagwon at HanCinema